Local News Thursday 19th May

Thursday, 19 May 2022 06:00

Chris Hargreaves (Photo courtesy of Somerset Live)

Yeovil Town have announced that their new manager is Chris Hargreaves. It’s hoped new government legislation to bring empty shops back into use will help rejuvenate Somerset's high streets. An Ilminster man has appeared in court charged with ten offences. Somerset Wildlife Trust has teamed up with National Highways to help give more protection to Dormice. A pub in Somerton has won national recognition for its hospitality...and more.

Yeovil Town have announced that their new manager is Chris Hargreaves who joins the Glovers from Bristol Rovers where he was manager of the Youth Academy. Before that, he was Head Coach at Torquay United. Chris has signed a two-year contract with Yeovil and says he’s delighted to be joining a club that has such a proud history.

It’s hoped new government legislation to bring empty shops back into use will help rejuvenate Somerset's high streets. Roger Smith from Somerset Chamber of Commerce says the empty units in a town centre like Yeovil should be used for things other than retail.

An Ilminster man has appeared in court charged with ten offences. Matthew Barratt of Foundry Close was charged amongst others with two counts of burglary, taking a vehicle without consent, and assaulting an emergency worker, when he appeared at Yeovil Magistrates Court.

Somerset Wildlife Trust has teamed up with National Highways to help give more protection to Dormice. It’s part of the Dormouse Reconnected project that’s aimed at re-connecting populations of the rare hazel dormouse.

A pub in Somerton has won national recognition for its hospitality. The White Hart located in the historic market square in Somerton is described in the new edition of the Sawday’s good pubs guide as a ‘16th-century gem of an Inn’.

Two landscape designers from Bruton are going to this year’s Chelsea Flower Show to raise awareness of re-wilding. Adam Hunt’s and Lulu Urquhart’s entry will focus on beavers and their return to the wild after an absence of 400 years.

A day spa on the Dillington Estate near Ilminster has made it through to the finals of the Professional Beauty Awards. Transformations Hair and Beauty is on a list of six entries shortlisted for the ‘Boutique Salon of the Year’ award.

More from News

Thursday 1st May

There’s been a call for the Somerset Levels to be designated a National Landscape. A Yeovil man has raised £2,000 for a new school minibus at Fairmead School in Yeovil by running the London Marathon. Exmoor Ales, which provides cask ales across the region and beyond, is closing its Somerset brewery and moving the business to Surrey...and more.
Wednesday 30th April

The long-awaited refurbishment of Yeovil police station is finally to get underway this summer. Plans have been approved to build 185 new homes off Bunford Lane in Yeovil. Police have arrested three men in Yeovil for being involved in the supply of Class A drugs. A Somerset jockey has been named Champion Conditional Jockey of 2025...and more.
Tuesday 29th April

New figures have shown that registering as a new patient with an NHS dentist in Somerset is still just as difficult as it was six months ago. The go-ahead has been given to build 160 new houses on Station Road in Castle Cary. A sailor from South Petherton has been chosen to lead a team in the round-the-world Clipper Race...and more.
Monday 28th April

Somerset Council is being criticised for taking too long to re-open Yeovil's Octagon Theatre. The Liberal Democrats have won a seat on Chard Town Council by one vote. Dates have been announced for this year’s illuminated carnival processions in South Somerset...and more.
Friday 25th April

Police are investigating the theft of a motorbike in Ilminster. Tributes have been paid to the former Yeovil Town player-manager, Cecil Irwin, who has died aged 83. Town criers from across the South West will be in Yeovil tomorrow competing for the loudest voice in the Yeovil Town Crier Competition 2025...and more
Thursday 24th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to an accident in which a child was struck by a car in Yeovil. This week, a planning inquiry is being held into plans to turn a Somerset shopping centre into a retirement complex. A Somerset woman is planning to walk the 70-miles of Hadrian's Wall to mark her 90th birthday...and more.
Wednesday 23rd April

Tourism bosses in Somerset say they feel confident the County will have a good summer for visitors this year. A group representing care providers in Somerset is warning that some residential homes are at risk of going out of business due to rising costs. A Somerset animal charity has taken into care, three orphaned badger cubs...and more.
Tuesday 22nd April

The Care Quality Commission has given two GP practices in Yeovil a 'good' overall rating. According to insurers, AXA, thefts at commercial premises in Somerset are on the rise. Bus users in Somerset could see changes to the frequency of services when the new West of England mayor takes office. Martock is to host its first Pride event in June...and more.